Durant, Ndukwe and Bunkley Are Three NFL Defensive Players to Watch in 2009

Small market defensive players never get the credit they deserve. Justin Durant, coming into his third season from Hampton, is turning into a very nice linebacker for the Jaguars. Although he has yet to play a full season (13 games in '07, 14 in '08), Durant already has 120 total tackles (49 in '07, 71 in '08).

Durant has an incredible set of skills and perfect size for a linebacker at 6-1, 230 pounds. Durant, in the off-season has been moved to middle linebacker, which should allow him to make more plays for the Jaguars defense. With is size, speed, and his growing knowledge of the pro game, Durant will become a premier linebacker in this league starting with the '09 season.

Chinedum Ndukwe, S, Cincinnati Bengals

The former Notre Dame standout played only 11 games in his second season with the Bengals in '08 but racked up 43 solo tackles, three sacks, and a defensive touchdown. According to Yahoo, Ndukwe has two interceptions in Bengals camp so far, and should start the entire season. Former Dallas Cowboy Roy Williams is listed as second string behind Ndukwe, even though a couple of weeks ago these roles were reversed. Ndukwe has shown the Bengals staff that he is worthy of starting in the NFL and is rapidly improving.

Ndukwe's combined 64 tackles in only 11 games last season could increase to around 85 in 2009 as long as he stays healthy. Ndukwe has a decent set of hands and will have at least 3 interceptions and 7-9 passes defended. Ndukwe was a 2007 7th round pick by the Bengals, who may be Pro Bowl quality in a year or two. Look out for Ndukwe (and learn how to pronounce his name) as he climbs the ladder as one of the best defensive backs in the NFL.

Brodrick Bunkley, DT, Philadelphia Eagles

Although Bunkley has put in two productive years in his first three seasons with the Eagles, he has not been the dominating defensive presence that Philadelphia was hoping for when they drafted him with the 14th overall pick in 2006. Bunkley has 88 tackles and 5 sacks in his three year career in the NFL. 2008 was the first year in which Bunkley played all 16 games. Although he recorded only 2 sacks compared to 3 in 2007, he recorded 47 tackles, which was 15 higher than the previous season.

Bunkley could be the second coming of Albert Haynesworth. Much like Bunkley, Haynesworth had a slow start to his NFL career before putting together some incredible numbers. In his fourth year in the league, Haynesworth broke out with 52 tackles and 3 sacks in only 14 games. Haynesworth is now one of the best defensive tackles in the league, and Bunkley could make similar progress starting in the 2009 season. I expect Bunkley to record 55+ tackles, 4 sacks, and a couple of forced fumbles this year.

Sources: http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8302; http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/8507; http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/players/7763